Self-assessment guidelines for Candidates – ST3 ACCS & DRE-EM

The 2021 National Emergency Medicine ST3/DRE-EM Selection Portfolio Section will be assessed as an online
process. All candidates meeting the eligibility criteria will be asked to complete the Self-Assessment as detailed
in this document.

Candidates are initially requested to self-score their Portfolio submitting their scores on their application in the
Oriel system. There will then be a 7 day window (dates and details can be found in the ST3 Emergency Medicine
Candidate Handbook) where candidates will be required to upload supporting evidence via the Health Education
England Online Portal. Validation of each candidate’s self-assessment scores will be performed by the
Assessment Team. The candidate will be notified of any changes to their self-assessment score. Candidates will
be advised of the appeals process if they wish to contest their final score. The specific dates for each stage of
this process will be published on the National ST3/DRE-EM website.

Self-Assessment:

• This form contains the framework for applicants self-assessment scoring.

• Applicants will be asked to complete the multiple choice questions for each section on an
online form to derive a final self-assessment score (questions may appear slightly differently
on the final application form). Only one bullet point/response for each question can
contribute to the score.
• Candidates will be asked to provide portfolio evidence to support the answers given during
self-assessment and submit this via the online interface. Candidates are instructed to only
provide evidence regarding the self-assessment questions and will only be able to upload
one document per question. Candidates are responsible for ensuring that the document
uploaded provides sufficient evidence.
• No additional evidence will be accepted following the self-assessment submission date.
• Candidates are responsible for ensuring that they upload the correct evidence onto the
correct system. Evidence uploaded onto the wrong system will not be considered.
• All submitted self-assessments will be validated by a team of assessors who cross-check the
candidates own scores with submitted evidence and agree a final score.
• Candidates will be notified of their final score.
• If a candidate wishes to appeal their final assessment score, they will have 72 hours to do so
via the appeals process. Appeals can only be based on the evidence the candidate originally
submitted. Further submissions of evidence will not be accepted or considered.
• Appeals will be presided by the Portfolio Adjudication Panel. The outcome of an appeal will
be returned to the applicant within a short timeframe. The Adjudication Panel will have the
final decision on the self-assessment score at the end of this process.
Please note:

• If a candidate’s evidence is not provided on the specified system and evidence cannot be
verified by the assessor during the allocated time, a score of zero will be awarded for that
element of the portfolio.
• Candidates considered to have provided documents that are inaccurate, falsified, or contain
private or confidential patient details will have evidence taken and be referred to a Scrutiny
Panel. The Scrutiny Panel will be conducted by Health Education England and the candidate
will be offered an opportunity to explain their actions and provide supporting
documentation. The result of the Scrutiny Panel may lead to one or more of, but not limited
to, the following:
o Candidate removed from the current round of National Emergency Medicine
recruitment.
o Candidate being reported to the GMC.
o Candidates current Trust and/or HEE/Deanery being notified.
1) Have you completed and been awarded any degrees in addition to your primary medical qualific ation? Please
do not include teaching degrees (these can be included in Q6 below). Please select the highest scoring option that
applies to you.
Description Score
Masters level or higher degree involving research thesis (stand alone and not related to
3
primary medical qualification)
Additional or intercalated degree with first class honours 2
Any other undergraduate or postgraduate degree not fulfilling criteria above 1
No additional degrees 0
Evidence:
• Please provide a copy of your degree certificate
• For non-UK Masters / Higher degrees please also provide a written statement from
the awarding body confirming equivalence to UK regulations for MSc or above

2) Have you been awarded any academic prizes / awards? Please select the highest scoring option that applies to
you.
Description Score
National award for academic achievement as a postgraduate or undergraduate 3
Local postgraduate award for academic achievement 2
Local undergraduate award for academic achievement, e.g. merit, distinction 1
None of the above 0
Evidence:
• Please provide evidence of any academic prizes/awards i.e. certificate or letter
confirming achievement.

3) Please select the highest scoring option that describes your involvement in presentation / publications
(excluding Letters to editor, abstracts and case reports).
Description Score
Oral presentation at national/international meeting
3
First author of article in peer reviewed journal
Oral presentation at regional meeting
2
Co-author of article in peer-reviewed journal
Poster presentation at regional or national/international meeting 1
None of the above 0
Evidence:
• Please provide a copy of the presentation with meeting programme / publication
which clearly shows your role
 4) Please select the highest scoring option that describes your involvement in audit / Quality Improvement
projects.
Description Score
Designed and led a completed audit / Quality Improvement project with closure of loop
3
(with confirmation of role by supervisor)
Designed and led an audit / Quality Improvement project (with confirmation of role by
2
supervisor)
Involvement as team member in an audit / Quality Improvement project
1
Involved in RCEM audit
None of the above 0
Evidence:
• Please provide a summary of the audit / project (including evidence of second cycle
where applicable)
• Please provide evidence of your role in the audit/project i.e. confirmation by
supervisor

5) Please select the highest scoring option that describes your involvement in teaching.
Description Score
Principal organiser of relevant course 3
Participated as faculty member on relevant course 2
Formal planned teaching at least monthly (MUST submit teaching plan) 1
None of the above 0
Evidence:
• Please provide evidence of your role as organiser/faculty of a course. i.e. letter
confirming involvement.
• For formal teaching please provide timetable evidence of frequency and teaching
plan.

6) Do you have a formal teaching qualification? Please select the highest scoring option that applies to you.
Description Score
Masters degree in medical education 3
Postgraduate diploma in medical education 2
Postgraduate certificate in medical education
University accredited educational supervision course 1
‘Train the Trainers’ education supervision course
No formal teaching qualifications 0
Evidence:
• Please provide your qualification or course attendance certificate

7) Please select the option that best describes your previous experience at time of application?
Description Score
I have completed / or am on course to complete approved ACCS programme years 1 and 2 3
I have undertaken more than 12 months in substantive Emergency Medicine posts since
2
completion of Foundation training / internship
I have undertaken between 6 and 12 months (inclusive) in substantive Emergency Medicine
1
posts since completion of Foundation training / internship
I have undertaken less than 6 months in substantive Emergency Medicine posts since
0
completion of Foundation training / internship
Evidence:
• Please provide evidence of training posts i.e. ARCP documentation or completion of
ACCS training certificate
• For non-training posts, please provide your contract of employment, or a letter
from your supervisor / HR / Medical Staffing on hospital headed paper. Email
evidence may be provided if it has been sent from a hospital email address.

8) Please select the option that best describes your previous experience in ACCS training posts (Acute Medicine,
Anaesthetics, Intensive Care Medicine, Paediatric Emergency Medicine) at the time of application
Description Score
Post-Foundation training in three or more other ACCS specialty (at least 3 months’
3
continuous placement in each)
Post-Foundation training in two other ACCS specialty (at least 3 months’ continuous
2
placement in each)
Post-Foundation training in one other ACCS specialty (at least 3 months’ continuous
1
placement)
No substantive post in other ACCS Specialties 0
Evidence:
• Please provide evidence of completed ACCS training posts i.e. ARCP documentation
/ confirmation of placements from training provider

9) Please select the option that best describes your exam status

Description Score
Passed full MRCEM OR FRCEM intermediate (all parts) 3
Passed FRCEM primary AND one element of intermediate (could be MRCEM OSCE) 2
Passed FRCEM primary or full MRCS 1
No relevant postgraduate exams 0
Evidence:
• Please provide evidence of your exam status. i.e. certificate or results letters

10 Please select the option that best describes your demonstrable competences in the following skills:
• Adult Life Support
• Paediatric Life Support
• Trauma Life Support
Description Score
I have demonstrable competences in Adult Life Support, Paediatric Life Support AND 3
Trauma Life Support
I have demonstrable competences in Adult Life Support AND EITHER Paediatric Life Support 2
OR Trauma Life Support
I have demonstrable competences in Adult Life Support only 1
I do not have demonstrable competence in any of these skills 0
Evidence:
• Competence can be demonstrated in the following ways:
o By providing an in-date course certificate
o By providing a statement from a supervisor confirming you have received
local training and assessment in these skills

11) Have you undertaken and completed any additional courses relevant to Emergency Medicine (e.g. Airway, USS,
IMPACT, MIMMS, Emergency radiology)
Description Score
Three or more additional courses 3
Two additional courses 2
One additional course 1
No additional courses 0
Evidence:
• Please provide evidence of completion of any additional courses i.e. certificates

12) Please select the highest scoring option that describe your Achievement of competencies via work based
assessments, supervisor reports, multi source/360 feedback
Description Score
WBAs AND MSF / 360 feedback AND supervisor reports all excellent (must have all 3 types
3
of evidence)
WBAs AND MSF / 360 feedback AND supervisor reports generally good (must have all 3
2
types of evidence)
WBAs AND MSF / 360 feedback AND supervisor reports satisfactory (must have all 3 types
1
of evidence)
None of the above 0
Evidence:
• Please provide evidence of your achievement of competencies i.e. WBAs, MSF/360
feedback and supervisors reports.

13) Please select the highest scoring option that describes management / leadership roles you have undertaken.
Description Score
Leadership role at national level, e.g. BMA national committee member 3
Leadership role at postgraduate level, e.g. BMA rep, trainee rep, chair of junior doctors
2
forum. Rota coordinator does not count.
Leadership role at undergraduate level, e.g. committee chairman, head of student union 1
None of the above 0
Evidence:
• Please provide evidence of your management / leadership role i.e. letter confirming
appointment to role / letter from supervisor confirming position